The hunting licensing program will receive major upgrades, following a commitment to create an online service that will be flexible, convenient, user-friendly and fit for the 21st Century.
Under the Request for Proposals launched last week, the first step in building the system has been taken. A key feature of the upgrade will be an electronic service, which hunters will be able to access 24 hours a day, seven days a week to purchase their hunting licences and apply for Limited Entry Hunting (LEH) opportunities.
Currently, licences and LEH applications can only be purchased from Service BC offices or licensed vendors, many of which are not available over the weekend or non-business hours.
The new electronic licensing service will be efficient, convenient, easy to use and increase cost effectiveness in a time of fiscal restraint.
Resident hunters will have easier access to hunter services, increasing participation, and guide outfitters' in-camp clients will be able to obtain licences without waiting for a vendor to open or travelling to a vendor location.
The electronic system will create a single point of reference for data collection, including compulsory inspection information, guide outfitter hunter reports and resident hunter harvest information, all of which will feed directly into timely and more informed wildlife management decisions.
The ministry is targeting the 2015-16 hunting season to have the new service in place.
The B.C. government is inviting bids to design the upgrade, and those wishing to submit a proposal should visit the BC Bid website at: www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca
The deadline for proposals is 2 p.m. Aug. 20.
To learn more about wildlife management in B.C., visit the Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Management Branch at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/.